MSP leads calls for Scottish Screen Agency

MSP Joan McAlpine is leading calls for a new agency to be set up to boost film and TV production in Scotland.

The MSP – who convenes the Scottish Parliament’s committee on Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations – has approved a cross party report from the committee recommending the creation of an independent Scottish screen agency.

The committee took the unprecedented decision to publish an interim report ahead of schedule after coming to the conclusion that the new screen unit- which is already under development – needs to be a stand alone agency to reach its full potential.

The report – ‘The Bigger Picture: A screen agency for Scotland’ – was published on Saturday.

Ms McAlpine commented:

“A burgeoning screen sector will benefit the entirety of Scotland. As we have seen recently with the Outlander effect, the number of tourists visiting Dumfries and Galloway has significantly increased.

“The Scottish Government’s plans for a Screen unit in Scotland have widespread support and should continue – but it is the committee’s remit to consider whether those plans can be further improved.

“The current public sector collaboration suffers from complex governance from civil servants. We need focussed, industry led agency

“We feel that a stand alone screen unit – independent of Creative Scotland – will be better equipped to provide bespoke business support and be far more successful in encouraging the overall growth of the sector.

“It is clear there are dedicated and talented individuals working on screen within Creative Scotland. But, we believe that ultimately the Screen Unit needs to be transformed into “Screen Scotland”: an independent screen agency with a wide-ranging remit to represent and promote the screen sector in Scotland.

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